Missoula Police Catch Woman With a Stolen Car From Texas

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 18th, 2026, a Missoula Police Department officer encountered a vehicle backed into a service road with its lights off at approximately 2:37 AM. Based on the totality of the circumstances, the officer suspected that the vehicle might be associated with criminal activity.  

The officer ran the associated license plate through dispatch. Dispatch advised that the 2022 white Kia K5 was returned stolen out of Camp County, Texas. Once backup arrived, the officer encountered 27-year-old Kayla Sillanpa sleeping in the rear passenger seat.  

Sillanpa woke up and verbally confirmed her identity. She stated that she was traveling with her cat, Swamp. Officers were unable to locate the cat. Another officer read Sillanpa her Miranda rights. She stated that she understood and advised that she did not know who the car belonged to. Then she declined to answer further questions.  

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READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports 

Officers contacted the registered owner of the vehicle and informed her that her vehicle was recovered in Montana. Sillanpa was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. She is currently being charged with felony theft of a light vehicle - control over stolen property.  

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.